Veteran defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich is in his third season at Arizona. He was named defensive line coach in January 2012 by head coach Rich Rodriguez.

He joined the Wildcat staff after three decades of coaching defense at West Virginia University. His grasp of Rodriguez’s overall program and Jeff Casteel’s 3-3-5 defense is second to none. Kirelawich’s defenses ranked No. 1 nationally in 1996 and No. 3 in 2010.

Arizona’s defensive front significantly improved its production in year two with Kirelawich. In 2013, the Wildcats totaled 77 tackles for a loss of 255 yards after totaling 67 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in 2012. Starting defensive linemen Sione Tuihalamaka (11.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks), Reggie Gilbert (7.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks) and Tevin Hood (7.5 TFL and 1.0 sacks) combined for 25.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2013. That trio totaled 11.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in 2012.

In 2012, Kirelawich saw seven different players start at the defensive line positions. His group racked up 18.5 tackles for a loss of 67 yards.

Kirelawich started coaching at West Virginia in 1979 when he spent a year as a part-time assistant. He coached the defensive line from 1980-87, outside linebackers from 1988-90, the line again from 1991 to 2000, was an administrative assistant in 2001-02 and coached the line for the last nine years.

His tenure in Morgantown was marked by bowl appearances, high statistical rankings, coaching All-Americans and all-conference players, and the collegiate training of numerous players who went on to the professional ranks. He was 2010 FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.

He began his coaching career with a nine-year stint as head coach at Cardinal Brennan (Pa.) High School from 1970-78. Kirelawich graduated from Salem University in West Virginia in 1969. A team captain and linebacker, Kirelawich still owns the school record with an 89-yard interception return.

Kirelawich and his wife, Maggie, have three children, Billy, Miki and Jake, and a newborn granddaughter, Kate. Billy is Assistant Director of Operations for the UA football program.